Iran submits nuclear proposal as Hegseth defends war, seeks more money from Congress

President Donald Trump's top advisers are divided over whether to resume military strikes against Iran or continue negotiations, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff favor diplomacy, while Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper support renewed military operations, the newspaper reported, citing U.S. officials.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly favor maintaining economic pressure through sanctions and the blockade.

The disagreements come as Trump weighs further strikes following Republican losses in Tuesday's midterm elections. The president said Friday that Iran wants to reach an agreement with Washington.

The State Department warned Americans in the Middle East on Friday to remain vigilant amid increased threats of armed attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi militants and potential targeting of U.S. government officials.

In a security alert posted on X, the department's Bureau of Consular Affairs urged Americans in the region to exercise heightened caution and prepare for possible travel disruptions.

The department warned that Iranian-backed Houthis pose an increased threat of armed attacks and that Iran is attempting to target American government officials in the region.

U.S. citizens were also advised to monitor country-specific security alerts and remain aware of potential flight cancellations and airspace closures.

The warning comes as tensions remain high across the Middle East, with President Donald Trump weighing renewed military strikes against Iran while Washington and Tehran continue diplomatic negotiations.

President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran is eager to reach an agreement with the United States, citing economic troubles and damage to Tehran's military capabilities as Washington considers its next steps in the conflict.

During a gaggle with reporters, Trump was asked who persuaded him to pursue negotiations after launching military strikes against Iran.

"Nobody," Trump responded, defending the strikes and arguing that Iran would have posed a greater threat to Israel and other countries in the region if it had obtained nuclear weapons.

"We're dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly," Trump said.

The president also pointed to Iran's economic difficulties, asserting that inflation had reached 300% and that its navy had been destroyed.

Iran is demanding concrete action from Washington before advancing nuclear negotiations, with a senior official saying Friday that Tehran will no longer rely on written U.S. commitments.

Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, accused Washington of repeatedly violating its commitments over the past 18 months, according to state-run IRNA, as reported by Iran International.

“Iran needs to see the US’s practical actions, and [then] the groundwork for opening a new chapter would be prepared,” Bagheri said.

The remarks come as Washington reviews a nuclear proposal submitted by Tehran through Qatari intermediaries, while President Donald Trump considers renewed military strikes against Iran.

The U.S. is offering a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation assistance for information about Iran's nuclear program, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Friday.

In a post on X, CENTCOM highlighted the State Department's Rewards for Justice program, which is seeking information about Iran's nuclear facilities, equipment and personnel involved in the program.

The reward also covers information about the movement of nuclear-related materials, equipment or personnel, including individuals in the scientific community.

The announcement comes as President Donald Trump considers renewed military strikes against Iran while Washington and Tehran continue negotiations over the country's nuclear program.

Trump reiterated Friday that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, pointing to previous U.S. military operations targeting Tehran's nuclear facilities.

President Donald Trump reiterated Friday that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, pointing to previous U.S. military strikes against Tehran's nuclear facilities.

Speaking at the UP Summit at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Trump credited American B-2 bombers with preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

"And you know what? If they did have it, if we didn't go in with those beautiful B-2 bombers a little more than a year ago, if I allowed them to have it today, there would be no Israel. It would have been wiped off the face of the earth, and there would be no Middle East," Trump said.

"We will never let that happen. Iran will never, ever have a nuclear weapon. You can rest assured," the president added.

Trump's remarks come as his administration considers renewed military operations against Iran while continuing diplomatic negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.

Qatar pushed back Friday against reports suggesting negotiations between the United States and Iran had collapsed, insisting that both countries are continuing efforts to reach an agreement.

In a statement, Qatar's International Media Office rejected online reports alleging that Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani had said Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal.

The office accused unnamed parties of misrepresenting the prime minister's comments and spreading misinformation to undermine diplomatic efforts.

"His Excellency’s remarks have been deliberately distorted by those who benefit from continued war and instability in our region," the statement read. "Many of these claims are being spread by fake accounts trying to undermine diplomatic efforts and push for further escalation. This is deeply irresponsible. His Excellency stated today that both sides are continuing to work towards a deal."

Qatar said its mediators remain in close contact with both countries as negotiations continue. 

Three incoming Jewish members of Congress are calling for the release of Arab journalist Abed Abu Shehadeh, who was detained in Israel after interviewing a fugitive former lawmaker.

Brad Lander, Steve Weiner and Daniel Biss sent a letter to Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter expressing concern about Abu Shehadeh's detention, according to The Times of Israel.

The journalist was arrested Tuesday after interviewing former Israeli lawmaker Azmi Bishara, who fled Israel in 2007 amid suspicions that he aided Hezbollah during the previous year's war in Lebanon.

The lawmakers said Israeli authorities detained Abu Shehadeh on suspicion of contact with a foreign agent and that the allegations against him remain sealed.

They called for his release, arguing that interviewing controversial political figures is a fundamental part of journalism. 

Lufthansa Group is reportedly changing flight operations to Israel to prevent crew members from staying overnight in the country through Nov. 30 as concerns grow over renewed fighting with Iran.

The airline group, which operates Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways, plans to use crew-change stops in Athens and Larnaca, Cyprus, for certain flights, according to Israel's N12 News, as cited by The Jerusalem Post.

The adjustments could result in schedule changes or cancellations for some passengers.

The reported restrictions come as President Donald Trump considers renewed military strikes against Iran following meetings with his national security team this week.

Washington and Tehran are also continuing diplomatic negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.

The Trump administration announced sanctions Friday against eight Canada-based currency exchange businesses accused of helping Iran evade U.S. financial restrictions.

The Treasury Department said the businesses facilitated transactions involving sanctioned Iranian entities, including cryptocurrency activity linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

"Canada cannot be a safe haven for illicit financial facilitators that provide sanctions evasion services to the Iranian regime and its proxies," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Several businesses also allegedly helped launder drug proceeds tied to former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, according to Treasury.

The sanctions come as Washington and Tehran continue nuclear negotiations, with Iran demanding relief from U.S. economic restrictions as part of a proposed agreement.

A student-run food festival at Northwestern University was canceled after several campus organizations objected to the inclusion of a pro-Israel student group, according to reports.

The event, organized by Spoon University Northwestern, faced opposition after Wildcats for Israel was invited to participate. Three student organizations issued a joint statement criticizing the group's involvement, while nearly all participating groups reportedly withdrew from the festival.

Organizers subsequently removed Wildcats for Israel from the event and apologized for its inclusion, according to The Times of Israel.

The Daily Northwestern reported that the festival was ultimately canceled following the dispute.

California Post opinion editor Joel Pollak defended President Donald Trump's handling of the Iran war Friday, arguing that Americans will eventually appreciate his decisions despite the political fallout from the midterm elections.

Speaking on Fox News' "Life, Liberty & Levin," Pollak said Trump had fulfilled his campaign promises by confronting Iran and securing the U.S. border, even when those decisions carried political consequences.

"Trump had a responsibility that he took seriously to do what was in the national interest," Pollak said. "Sometimes being president means you have to make those tough decisions."

Pollak argued that previous administrations had avoided confronting Tehran because of the potential political repercussions.

"This is why nobody confronted Iran, because it has a political cost. But in the long run, the American people will be grateful for it," he said.

Pollak also compared Trump's political challenges to those faced by former President Ronald Reagan, noting that Reagan lost eight Senate seats during his sixth year in office but later became widely respected.

"Now, just because you lose Congress doesn't make you a great president. But both Reagan and Trump have done things that were very difficult, sometimes politically unpopular, but absolutely necessary," Pollak said. 

President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. is continuing talks with Iran and expressed optimism about the negotiations, even as his administration weighs renewed military strikes against Tehran.

"We are doing very well with Iran. We're talking to Iran," Trump told reporters during a gaggle Friday.

"We have been we haven't lost a soldier in seven months or six months. We have the Hormuz Strait opening, doing more business than they've ever done with oil. And we're doing very well. And we are talking to them," the president added.

His remarks come after Iran reportedly submitted a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatari intermediaries Thursday, outlining demands that include sanctions relief, compensation for war damages and a reduced U.S. military presence in the Middle East.

Trump met with his national security team this week to discuss whether to resume military operations against Iran.

A planned Israeli operation inside Iran was reportedly derailed after an Israeli security official inadvertently alerted the U.S. to the mission, prompting Washington to intervene.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad chief Roman Gofman had reportedly planned the operation ahead of Israel's Oct. 27 election, according to Israel's Channel 12, as cited by The Times of Israel.

Senior Israeli security officials opposed the mission over concerns that it could escalate tensions with Tehran and interfere with the election, the report said.

The intended target and details of the operation were not disclosed, and the allegations have not been independently verified.

The report comes as President Donald Trump weighs renewed military action against Iran following meetings with his national security team this week.

Iranian authorities are reportedly distributing iodine tablets to residents near the country's nuclear facilities amid concerns about a potential attack as President Donald Trump weighs renewed military strikes against Tehran.

An Iranian health ministry official told The Times that authorities had sought to distribute the tablets to communities within two to three kilometers of nuclear facilities during each war.

The newspaper also reported that an Iranian political journalist was told during a recent briefing that officials were seriously considering the possibility of a U.S. nuclear strike on Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear facility.

Iodine tablets can help protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine released during certain nuclear incidents, but they do not protect against all forms of radiation exposure.

The reported precautions come as Trump considers resuming military operations against Iran following meetings with his national security team at the White House this week. The administration has not publicly indicated that it is considering the use of nuclear weapons.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) shared an image Friday showing an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft preparing for takeoff from a military base in the Middle East.

The image shows a U.S. Air Force crew chief directing the aircraft with illuminated signaling wands. CENTCOM did not disclose the base's location or the aircraft's mission.

The post comes as President Donald Trump weighs renewed military strikes against Iran following meetings with his national security team this week.

President Donald Trump said Friday that "Israel and, in fact, the entire Middle East, WOULD NOT EXIST TODAY if I did not stop Iran from having a Nuclear Weapon. 

"Nobody wants to say that, but everybody knows it’s true!" the president added in a post on Truth Social.

Trump made the remark after announcing earlier this week that $4 billion in U.S. aid to Israel would be "cut off" by the end of the year.

An Iranian military official vowed Friday that any country helping the U.S. in a potential new attack on Iran would become a legitimate target, a report said. 

Brig. Gen. Ali Balali, who is a senior advisor to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, also said Friday that Iran's missiles have enough range to strike U.S. and Israeli targets, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency. 

The remarks come after reports emerged last week that movements were being made in the Middle East to give President Donald Trump options if he decided to pursue further military action against Iran following Tuesday's midterm elections. 

Russia played a larger role in the Iran war than previously disclosed, with internal defense industry documents revealing how Moscow built up the country's arsenal ahead of its conflict with the U.S.

A Russian contract is tied to 90 launchers for precision-guided missiles with the destination as Tehran, according to documents obtained and published by Ukrainian defense intelligence research group Dallas Analytics offering new details on the extent of Moscow's military support for Iran before war erupted.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed Russia's role in the conflict — as recently as last month, saying that he did not believe they are helping Iran "at all."

Russian production records show components were allocated for 90 APU-L twin-rail launchers under a contract identified as "K-10," with shipments within the Russian production chain scheduled from late 2024 through December 2025.

Other internal Russian documents obtained by Dallas Analytics explicitly identify "K-10" as Iran. An October 2022 supply request for equipment for a Yak-130 aircraft lists the consignee as "'K10' Iran" and was countersigned by the acting head of the Russian Defense Ministry's 704th Military Representation.